Results tagged ‘ Dustin Pedroia ’

Power Outage

power outage.jpg

22 games, 22 for 87 (.230 BA), 0 (ZERO) HR, 12 RBI, .623 OPS

After the month of April who would have guessed this line would belong too?  Normally, maybe him:

lugo.jpgThat would have been a good guess, but he only has played 2 games this April.  Plus, he is normally not know for power.

How about this fella:

tek.jpgAgain, not a bad guess.  He has had several 20 homer seasons, but it is not him.  He’s had a decent start, going deep 4 times so far.

Would you be surprised to find out that those numbers belong to:

big papi.JPGProbably not, if you have been following the Red Sox closely this season.  This is the big news with the Red Sox.  When Nick Green has more HRs and a higher slugging percentage than David Ortiz over the first 22 games, then something is the matter.

What is WRONG with Big Papi?

  • Past his prime, good years are behind him.
  • Lack of protection in the order; missing Manny behind him.
  • Wrist still hurts.
  • All of the above.
  • Nothing, give the guy a break! 

I don’t know the answer myself, but I can say it is not from lack of protection in the order.  People who think because Manny is no longer batting behind Ortiz that this is the reason are sort of clueless.  I mean Ortiz is hitting between the 2008 MVP and the 3rd Place finisher for 2008 MVP!  Anybody else have protection like that in MLB?

This is the first time since Ortiz joined the Red Sox that he has not at least 1 HR in a month where he has not been injured. 

Dating back to last season, Big Papi has now gone 25 games (in which he as gotten at least 1 AB) with out a HR.  That is the longest cold streak since he came to Boston.

He has had two 19 game homerless streaks, 1 occured last season and the other occured in 2007.

So, what is the problem?  Will he ever get out of this funk?  Will he be the Papi of 2004 – 2006?  So many questions, so little answers.

I think the problem is in Papi’s head.  I recall hear him complain about lack of protection (isn’t that a bit insulting to Kevin Youkilis) in the batting order.  However, Sean McAdams (I believe) has stated numerous times that the two seasons Manny packed it in during September, Ortiz had the best OPS (this coming from listening to talk radio, I haven’t research these numbers myself) during the month of September.  So he wasn’t missing Manny then. 

However, now that Ortiz doesn’t have it in the back of his head that Manny will be back, I think he is using it as an excuse (for a lack of a better term) when it is more of a combination that Ortiz may be thinking too much and having some erosion of his skills.  Ortiz also mentioned a while back that he isn’t getting any fastballs to hit.  I seem to recall plenty of fastballs in the mid to upper 80s that he is not catching up to. 

Hopefully, it is more of a mental funk than a physical / skill erosion problem.  The Red Sox are going to NEED Ortiz, especially when Youkilis, Bay, and Lowell cools down from their hot starts.

C’mon Big Papi, work it out.

Go Sox!

P.S.  This could have been about Josh Beckett too.  Since the Abreu incident, Beckett has not been himself.

The Right Foot

It’s only one game in the scheme of it all.  However, it is always great to get out of the gate with a win.  The best part of the day, was that Josh Beckett was DOMINANT!  Will be nice to have the real Josh Beckett this season, provide he remains healthy.  Nice looking line:

7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 10 Ks.  All on only 93 pitches thrown.

Dustin Pedroia picked up right where he left off.  A home run in his first AB.  Kevin Youkilis with 2 hits.  Everybody seeming to chip in today.  Jason Varitek with a HR.  Mike Lowell and RBI double.  Jason Bay an RBI.  JD Drew with an RBI as well and he didn’t leave the game with an injury which is always a plus.

The only real blemish on the day was Hideki Okijima’s performance.  Remember two years ago, what happened to Okijima on Opening Day in KC.  If the same patterns follows, we’ll be happy with him come August.

As for me, I was at the ballgame.  It is always great to be at the park, especially on Opening Day.  Even when it is a cold day.  I didn’t see any of the pre-game festivities, as I was underneath the RF grandstands, selling programs.  However, I did get to see a lot of the game, since the product I was selling during the game wasn’t a hot item to sell today.

Game two tomorrow night, should be another good one.  Jon Lester against Scott Kazmir, two of the top lefties in MLB.

Let’s build a streak!

Go Sox! 

Opening Day & Eve

Wooooooohooooooooooooo!  FINALLY!!!!!!  OPENING DAY IS HERE.  However, the forecast is for rain, which is scheduled to begin around game time.  Doh!!!!!!!!  Let’s hope it can hold off for 3 or 4 hours.  How disappointing.

However, what wasn’t disappointing was yesterday’s beautiful day that I spent at the olde (really OLD) ball park.  I went to Fenway yesterday for 2 reasons. 

1)  Pick up my uniform:
sox uni.jpgOops.  That’s not my uniform.  I wish.

Loaded 2009-04-05 (Fenway) 047.jpgCheck.  Look for me on TV.  It’s funny though.  Whenever I am watching a game on TV, I am always trying to notice fellow vendor’s working in the stands.  The yellow shirts just stand out so much.

2) Try and meet up with Julia of Julia’s Rants and other bloggers she was trying to get to meet outside Fenway.  Unfortunately, I did not make it in time to meet up.  When I was finally finished picking up my uniform, I called Julia and she and Scott from I’m Not a Headline Guy were on top of the Prudential Building.  Here is a picture of them:

Loaded 2009-04-05 (Fenway) 025.jpg

No, really, they are up there.  I was on the phone with her exactly at that moment, as I was standing behind the Red Sox dugout. 

Since I was at the ballpark, I’d figure I might as well take in the Red Sox workout.  It was a gorgeous day for baseball; warm and not a cloud in the sky.  Since I brought my camera, I figured I might as well take a few (or 20 or 30) pictures.  Here are some of them:

The view from the RF boxes next to the visitor’s bullpen:

Loaded 2009-04-05 (Fenway) 005.jpg

Justin Masterson:

Loaded 2009-04-05 (Fenway) 006.jpg

Dice-K:

Loaded 2009-04-05 (Fenway) 007.jpgJohn Smoltz:

Loaded 2009-04-05 (Fenway) 010.jpg

Jonathan Papelbon:

Loaded 2009-04-05 (Fenway) 012.jpgBig Papi:

Loaded 2009-04-05 (Fenway) 020.jpgDustin Pedroia:

Loaded 2009-04-05 (Fenway) 021.jpgBig Papi & Kevin Youkilis: 

Loaded 2009-04-05 (Fenway) 032.jpgEvan Longoria: (thanks to Rays Renegade for the ID)

Loaded 2009-04-05 (Fenway) 035.jpgTheo Epstein (well, the back of his head, anyway):

Loaded 2009-04-05 (Fenway) 036.jpgMike Lowell (talking with Longoria (l.) and Pat Burrell (r.) thanks to Rays Renegade again on ID of Rays players)

Loaded 2009-04-05 (Fenway) 040.jpgJason Varitek:

Loaded 2009-04-05 (Fenway) 042.jpgFinally ~ View from the Budweiser section in upper RF:

Loaded 2009-04-05 (Fenway) 043.jpgIt was quite a blast.  It seemed like I had the whole park to myself.  There were a couple of tours going on.  Also, there were some other Red Sox employees who had their children there, but the greatest perk of working at the park is being able to be there without any fans.

EDIT:  I forgot to mention that I noticed the lower (field level) and upper box (red) seats seem to have brand new seats in there.  The actual seat parts have padding.  I sat in one, and it was pretty comfortable.  However, the only problem is that back rest seems to be the same height.  So, now with a cushion there, the
back rest is on the lower part of your back which probably won’t be as comfortable as the game goes on.  I think these new seats are only in the infield box seat sections. It looks like the RF boxes, grandstand (blue seats) and bleachers have the same crummy seats.

I talked to Boston Globe reporter, Tony Masserotti for a few minutes.  Mostly about how much he misses (note sarcasm) being on the Big Show on WEEI sports talk radio. 

As I was leaving, I almost walked right into a Tampa Bay Ray coming out of the Red Sox clubhouse.  I am not sure who it was though.  Maybe B.J. Upton, (did he travel up north with the team while being on the DL?) but I am not sure at all.  He was just wearing some shorts and a T-shirt and not a name tag. 

All and all, it was a great day.  Quite the opposite of what I am looking at through my window as I type this.  I better bring my galoshes with me, as I am on my way to the ball park just after I finish posting this.

Josh Beckett vs James Shield.  Should be a great game!

Go Sox!!!

Photos: 
Red Sox Jersey courtesy of MLB Stores
All others property of Red Sox Ramblings

The “New” Odd Couple

Word out of Hollywood is that producer Garry Marshall (A League of Their Own, Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, Mork & Mindy) is reviving a sit-com that he had originally adapted from Neil Simon’s award-winning play. 

original odd.jpgThis version starred:

Tony Randall as Felix Unger ~ the neat-freak, a fastidious, hypochondriac professional photographer (portraits a
specialty) whose marriage is ending.

Jack Klugman as Oscar Madison ~ the slob, a slovenly, recently divorced sportswriter.

However, in this reincarnation, Marshall is going to be putting more of a baseball twist on the characters.  The setting will move from New York City to Miami, as well.  While in the original sit-com, Oscar and Felix lived together after marital woes in this updated version, Felix and Oscar will be rooming with each other during spring training.

So, starring as the updated Felix Unger (neat-freak) ~  the suave, metro-sexual, ladies man, GQ cover boy, bachelor shortstop:

jeter.jpgAnd, starring as the updated Oscar Madison (slob) ~ the gritty, grubby, short and stubby, video-game playing, married second basemen:

pedroia.jpgApparently, their agents originally had a Bosom Buddies updated project pitched to them.  While Jeter was more than willing to take on that project, especially not minding the cross dressing required for the role of Kip Wilson (originally Tom Hanks), Pedroia said there was no way in hell he’d be dressing up like a chick for the role of Henry Desmond (originally Peter Scolari).

Seriously, though, who would have pictured it?  Jeter and Pedroia buddies?  A life long Yankee and a life (shorter) long Red Sox buddies?  C’mon, would we ever have seen Carlton Fisk and Thurmon Munsion like this:

odd couple.jpgAccording to Michael Silverman’s Sunday notes column that appeared in the Sunday Boston Herald:

A budding mutual admiration has been forged between Pedroia and Jeter since becoming teammates on Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.  Even Terry Francona chimed in:

“I could have called that one,” Francona said.  “They kind of gravitated toward each other last year at the All-Star Game in New York.” 

When asked whey they are bonding, Francona answered, “How do you not gravitate toward Pedey?  And Jeter, he respects the game so much, how do you not gravitate towards Jeter?  You can tell that Jeter likes Pedey’s personality. …  That’s an easy one.”

Who would have thought?  I do have to admit though, I have always like Jeter.  The Yankees haven’t been as hate-able as they were in the 70s.  When you have a core of Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Bernie Williams, I mean how could anybody really hate them?  Even a Red Sox fan.

In other Red Sox news:

  • Pedroia’s injury is not the dreaded oblique muscle after all, but an abdominal pull.  So that’s good news.  Apparently, he’ll only miss a few days, now.  However, I say, “TAKE YOUR TIME!!!”
  • Jon Lester finally signed his long-term deal.  Congrats to both Lester and the Red Sox.  It’s nice to have another GOOD (not just at the game of baseball) young player locked up.

Go Sox!!!!

Dreaded Oblique

pedroia wbc.JPGThe big news of the day is the word out of Miami that Dustin Pedroia is headed back to Boston to have the medical staff take a look at his oblique. 

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, the dreaded oblique.  The big unknown of injuries.  Some players are out for a few days.  Others are out for months.  Remember Trot Nixon’s oblique?  It seems the best treatment for this type of injury is rest, rest, and more rest.

Let’s take a look at this enigma of muscle:

Illu_trunk_muscles.jpgIs there a doctor in the house to explain this stuff? 

Looks like the Madden curse (players who appear on the cover of John Madden football game getting injured) has evolved into the MLB ’09, The Show curse.

the show.JPGAnyway, let’s hope that this doesn’t keep Pedroia out of action for too long.  About 3 weeks until opening day, and I’m hoping to see in that starting line-up.

Go Sox!!!

Busy Night in Boston

Last night, the Boston branch of the Baseball Writers Association of America held their annual awards dinner last night.  At the dinner, Dustin Pedroia picked up his AL MVP Award:

almvpaward.JPGAlso, at the awards dinner, Rocco Baldelli picked up the Tony Conigliaro award, along with his BRAND NEW Red Sox jersey.

rocco.JPGThe Red Sox signed Baldelli, formerly of the AL Champion Tampa Bay Rays, to a 1-year contract.  He will see the majority of his work as the 4th outfielder.  He could see considerable time in either CF or RF depending on Jacoby Ellsbury’s progress and J.D. Drew’s injury status.

Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon (AL Manager of the Year) and Tampa Bay reliever Dan Wheeler (New England [born] Player of the Year) were also honored.  Reportedly, the Red Sox tried to sign those two at the dinner, but were rebuffed.

It was also confirmed that the Red Sox have indeed offered a 1-year contract to former Atlanta Brave Cy Young Award winner John Smoltz.  Reportedly, the base contract is for around $5 million with incentives based on time on the active roster that could double the value.  John Smoltz is coming off an injury, but hopefully there is still some juice left in the arm.

I was actually hoping that Smoltz and Tom Glavine would both retire.  No.  Not because I do not think they can not or should not pitch in the major anymore.  It is because along with Greg Maddux, who just announced his retirement last month, it would be quite a sight to see an induction ceremony of Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz 5 years from now in Cooperstown.

tri-cys.jpgHow many times do 3 pitchers of this caliber actually pitch for 1 team for a LONG time?  Very rarely.  How many times have 3 pitchers of this caliber that were teammates been inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame together?  NEVER!  That would be quite historic.

I’ve been a Braves fan (they’re my NL team although not as much now), ever since our family first got cable as teen.  I actually hated the Braves at first, because their games (and they were terrible), would always interrupt my 2 hours of NWA / WCW wrestling on Saturday nights.  However, after watching them play, I grew attached and then enjoyed my wrestling / baseball double feature on Saturdays.

Anyway, now that I returned from detour down memory lane, it will be very strange to see Smoltz in a Red Sox uniform after spending his entire Major League career in a Brave uniform.  Hopefully, he will ended up healthy and could be a surprising big contributor down the stretch.  Looks like he will also fill the mantle left void by Curt Schilling, as the elder pitching statesmen for this team.

Finally, it looks like Mark Kotsay may return to the team.  While normally an outfielder for most of his career, I envision that Kotsay will fill the Sean Casey role on the 2009 club.  Mostly, he’ll be the back-up for Youkilis and Lowell (at 1b only, Youk will move over to 3b when Lowell needs a rest), but could see time in the OF depending on the health of Drew and Baldelli.  I like Kotsay, he has always be a solid player, but wonder if he will be happy in this role.

Since the Sox recently signed Brad Penny and Josh Bard, it’s nice to see the Hot Stove getting a tad bit warmer.

Go Sox!!!

MVP Has It’s Privileges

I come back from lunch, and find out that ESPN is reporting that the Boston Red Sox and Dustin Pedroia have come to an agreement on 6 year (through 2014), $40.5 million contract with an option for 2015.

Usually, you here sniffs of a deal like this before it happens. I listen to WEEI sports radio all of the time, and there was no mention of the possibility of this type of deal happening, so it was quite a nice surprise to read this.

This is a nice deal for both sides. Pedroia made about $500,000 last year. He will now average $6.75 million over the 6 years  According to an industry source as reported to the Boston Herald, here is how the contract breaksdown:
 
2009:  $3 million ($1.5m salary / $1.5m signing bonus)
2010:  $3.5 million
2011:  $5.5 million
2012:  $8 million
2013:  $10 million
2014:  $10 million
2015 (option):  $11 million club option or $500,000 buyout.
 
It ends up being quite a raise for a deserving player like Pedroia. For the Red Sox, it eliminates the arbitration years and 2 (3 is the option is exercised) of Pedroia’s free agent years, which will end up saving the Red Sox money in the long-term.  Interestingly, it will be 2013 before Pedroia will actually earn more than Julio Lugo’s $9 million dollar salary he is owed this season and next season.  It is one of the most lucrative deals ever signed by a player who was not even eligible for arbitration.  Seems like quite the deal for the Red Sox, doesn’t it?  Or does it just make the Lugo signing all the more puzzling?

Anyway, Congratulations to both Dustin and the Red Sox, as it is great to be able to watch Pedroia play and knowing we will be able to for at least 6 more years is nice.
 
Now, who will be next?  Pap?  Youk?  Lester?  I’m sure the Red Sox would like to get these three signed long term as well.

Congrats Dustin

Congrats to Dustin Pedroia. He was named the 2008 AL MVP. The first Red Sox player to win the award since Mo Vaughn back in 1995. Kevin Youkillis finshed 3rd. The 1st pair of Red Sox players to finish in the Top 3 in MVP since Roger Clemens won and Jim Rice finished 3rd back in 1986.
 

P.S.  Not to brag, but that makes me 8 for 8 in awards predictions as posted here!  Think that will win me some sort of gig anywhere?  ;)
 
Go Sox!

Free Agent Frenzy?

Now that players who filed for Free Agency are able to sign with any team, the transactions are flying fast and furious. (Note the sarcasm dripping from that sentence.) The action has been slower than anticipated, with the biggest news of the Yankees desperate attempt to make sure they sign Sabathia. Supposedly they have offered $140 million over 6 years and if that is only their initial offer, one has to wonder how high they will go. So far, the only free agent to change uniforms is Jeremy Affeldt. He will not be returning to Cincinnati, instead choosing to sign with the San Francisco Giants.

In Red Sox news, several Sox players and coaches are awaiting to hear some results. Bench coach Brad Mills and 3rd Base coach DeMarlo Hale both interviewed for the Seattle Mariners manager position. The Mariners are supposed to announce their selection today. Although, rumor has it that the Mariners will select Oakland A’s bench coach Don Wakamatsu. Good luck to Mills and Hale.

Meanwhile, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis are 2 of the top candidates for AL MVP. We will find out the winner around 2pm today. Even though I think Youk is more deserving, my guess is that Pedroia will be named AL MVP. Go Red Sox!

Steve had a nice post over at his The Boston Red Sox Blog about a Julio Lugo – Dontrelle Willis trade that may be in the works. I’d like that.

Finally, if you have never checked out this blog: U.S.S. Mariner, it is one of the best blogs around. Anyway, one of the creators of that blog is trying to win a college scholarship for bloggers. Here is his post about it. So, let’s support our fellow baseball blogger, and help him win. Vote for David Cameron!! He was winning for a while, but is now about 200 votes behind.  Help him out not only because he loves baseball and blogging, but he is a poor Mariners for fan for cying out loud. 

And the winner is….

This next week or so is one of my favorite times of the baseball off-season. Although there is no red carpet like at the Oscars or the Emmys, to me the MLB Award season is a lot more fun. Over the course of the next 9 days we will find out the winners of: AL & NL Rookie of the Year, NL Cy Young, AL & NL Manager of the Year, AL Cy Young, NL MVP, and AL MVP.

For the most part, however, this award season is probably a little too predictable. There is a clear cut choice in 6 of the 8 categories, with only the NL Manager and AL MVP still unclear. Here is how I think it is going to go in other categories:

AL Rookie: Evan Longoria
NL Rookie: Geovany Soto
NL Cy Young: Tim Lincecum
AL Manager: Joe Maddon
AL Cy Young: Cliff Lee
NL MVP: Albert Puljos
 
The only one of the above that may not be a sure thing to win is Puljos, since the new fad in MVP voting is your team needs to make the post season. I will stand my ground there, but it will be interesting to see how many votes C.C. Sabathia and Manny Ramirez get in this category.
 
However, up for grabs are the NL Manager and AL MVP.
Now, let’s take a look at the nominees for NL Manager of the Year:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charlie Manuel, Philadelphia Phillies
Led the Phillies to their 2nd consecutive NL East title. (Won the World Series, but that result has no bearing on the voters since ballots are due by the end of the regular season.)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fredi Gonzalez, Florida Marlins
Took a young team with the lowest payroll in baseball and had them in the NL East / Wildcard mix for most of the summer. The team finished with a respectable 84-77 record, which would have forced at least a tie if they played in the NL West.

 
Joe Torre, Los Angeles Dodgers
Led the Dodgers back to the post-season, pulling the team (along with the acquisitions of Casey Blake and Manny Ramirez) through a rough stretch to overtake the Diamondbacks and pull away in the NL West.

 
Lou Pinella, Chicago Cubs
Led the Cubs to the best record in the NL and 2nd consecutive NL Central title.

My Choice: Lou Pinella

Now, here are the nominees for the AL MVP award:

 
Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
302-35-103 OPS: .965. Stellar number once again, but with the Yankees out of the playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons, he is not in the talk for this award. Additionally, since this year is an even year (2008), recent history says A-Rod will not even place better than 10th in the race. However, he will probably finishing somewhere between 4-8 in the voting.

 
Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox
.288-30-100 OPS: .965. Led the White Sox offensively, until missing the final month of the season with an injury. He may have been the leader of the pack at one time, but that injury may be what keeps him from winning, as he was limited to only 130 games.

 
Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox
.326-17-83 OPS: .869. Pretty much was lifted into MVP contention with a stellar August with clutch hit after clutch hit, picking up for Manny Ramirez. He even hit in the clean-up hole for a couple games with big results. Boston fans will light up the WEEI phone lines if he doesn’t win it, but I’m not sure he is the favorite, it is that close in this race.

 
Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
.328-9-85 OPS: .864. Winning a batting title as a catcher is a TOUGH thing to do. This was his 2nd batting title in 4 seasons. He plays the most demanding position in baseball, and I’ve heard some talk that he is more valuable to the Twins than Morneau is. However, he probably is the darkest horse in this race.


 
Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers
.304-32-130 OPS: .901. He got off to a monster start, and was the story of baseball by the All-Star break. However, he faded a bit during the hot Texas summer, and not too mention he plays on the Rangers. If he was on the Angels, Red Sox, Yankees, or White Sox he’d be the winner hands down.


 
Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins
.300-23-129 OPS: .873. May be the front runner with Pedroia for this award, he was the offensive power for the Twins again AND played in all 163 games. However, could his and Mauer’s 0 for in the playoff game with the White Sox affect his chances in a race this close?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox
.312-29-115 OPS: .959. Filled the void in the clean-up hole that was left when Manny decided he didn’t want to play in Boston anymore. This was definately a career year for Youkilis, and I think he is the Red Sox MVP over Pedroia, but Pedroia has all of the sentiment on his side, especially nationally, that he probably finishes 3rd behind Pedoria and Morneau for this award.

My Choice: Dustin Pedroia

The announcements begin today with the Rookies. I look forward to this, and the drama will build for the AL MVP which, like the Best Picture, will be announced Tuesday, 11/18 to close this show.
« older posts | back to blog home |
Theme: MLB “fan” | Get a free blog at WordPress.com
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.